Agenda and minutes

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development following a formal request by Southampton International Airport for tree management of council trees, within the area of the South Stoneham Cemetery.  The proposals have come forward after an assessment by the Civil Aviation Authority and will involve works to trees on council-owned land and will include tree felling for airport operational reasons.

Decision made: (CAB 25/26 48528)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development and having received representations from Ms Angela Cotton, representing several environmental groups in Southampton and Mr Gavin Williams, Operations Director Southampton Airport  Cabinet approved the following:

(i)  To approve the updated Tree Policy as set out at Appendix 3 of the report.

(ii)  To consider the request by Southampton International Airport Ltd to carry out further tree works as set out in their formal request, and non-technical summary, at Appendix 1 and discussed in the report.

(iii)  To form a decision on (ii) and identify what, if any, officer delegations (as contemplated in the report) are needed to be given as part of the decision and to delegate accordingly.

Note: In considering the request set out in recommendation (ii).  Cabinet agreed to delegate to officers to agree, prepare and implement an extended tree management plan including the felling of trees and works to a further 10 trees and associated licence on an ongoing basis around the Cemetery through the creation of an obstacle management plan following consultation with the relevant Cabinet Members, noting that Cabinet would still be the decision maker where any further tree works exceeded good management. 

Following consultation with relevant Cabinet Members and affected families, to delegate to officers the ongoing tree management plan and preparation of a licence to include work replacing 76 trees on a 4:1 basis, the species, location, maintenance costs to be agreed, together with habitat creation, hedges and wildflowers etc.  Following survey work Cemetery improvement works to include seating, notice boards and repairs to the existing Chapel with details to be agreed and additional conditions put in place as required.  Cabinet also understood from the Airport that they would be willing to put in place further mitigating circumstances that had not yet been thought about. 

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council providing an update on the work undertaken with partners to develop the new Southampton 2035 City Plan and seeking Council adoption of the plan.

Decision made: (CAB 25/26 48579)

On consideration of the report of the Leader and having received representation from Councillor Peter Baillie and having taken into consideration recommendations from Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee held on 10 July 2025, Cabinet agreed to recommend the Southampton 2035 City Plan to Council for adoption as set out at Appendix 1 of the report. 

To consider the report of the Leader of the Council setting out the detail of a new Corporate Plan for Southampton City Council which reflects the Southampton 2035 missions, the Council’s transformation, MTFS and improvement priorities, and new equality objectives.

NOTE:  This report is submitted for consideration as a general exception under paragraph 15 of the Access to Information procedure Rules in Part 4 of the Council’s Constitution, notice having been given to the Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee and the public.

The matter requires a decision as consideration of the draft SCC Corporate Plan was bought forward so that it could be considered alongside the Southampton 2035 City Plan at the July Cabinet meeting. Aligning decision making for these two items reflects the close interrelation between the Corporate Plan and Southampton 2035 City Plan and responds to the urgency highlighted in the recent LGA Corporate Peer Challenge recommendations for these reasons the decision cannot be deferred for inclusion in the next Forward Plan for decision following 28 clear days notice.

Decision made: (CAB 25/26 48581)

On consideration of the report of the Leader and having received representation from Councillor Peter Baillie and having taken into consideration recommendations from Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee held on 10 July 2025 and having complied with paragraph 15 of the Council’s Access to Information Procedure Rules, Cabinet approved the following:

(i)  To approve the Southampton City Council Corporate Plan 2025-28 set out at Appendix 1 of the report.

(ii)  To delegate authority to the Chief Executive to make minor amendments as necessary to the Corporate Plan after consultation with the Leader of the Council.

(iii)  To refer the Southampton City Council Corporate Plan 2025-28 to Council for endorsement and noting.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services providing an update on the Council's financial position for 2025/26.

Decision made: (CAB 25/26 48523)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, Cabinet agreed to note the latest forecast financial position as set out in Appendix 1.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services detailing an update of the Medium Term Financial Strategy.

Decision made: (CAB 25/26 48525)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, Cabinet approved the following:

i)  To agree the updated medium term financial forecast set out in Appendix 1.

ii)  To agree the next steps to developing the MTFS and maintaining a balanced budget over the medium term.

iii)  To agree to underwrite a proportionate share of the costs of local government reorganisation and devolution alongside the other upper tier authorities.

iv)  To agree the creation of an earmarked reserve for future costs associated with Local Government Reorganisation and Devolution.

v)  To agree the virements requested in relation to managing pressures in 2025/26 as a set out in paragraph 9.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services on the Capital Outturn for 2024/25.

Decision made: (CAB 25/26 48521)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, Cabinet to recommend to Council:

(i)  The revised capital programme for 2025/26 to 2029/30 and financing as summarised in paragraph 10 and detailed in Appendix 2.

(ii)  The latest prudential indicators for the revised capital programme as detailed in Appendix 3.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services on the Revenue Outturn for 2024/25.

Decision made: (CAB 25/26 48591)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services, Cabinet to:

(i)  recommend the report to Full Council.

(ii)  note the total EFS request for 2024/25 to MHCLG of £56.7M.

Report of the Leader detailing progress of the Transformation Programme.

Decision made: (CAB 25/26 46252)

On consideration of the report of the Leader, Cabinet agreed the updates to the expected outcomes of the Portfolios of activities within the adapt | grow | thrive Transformation Programme as set out in the ‘Current Portfolio Status’ section, including the ‘Key delivery progress and risks’ for each Portfolio, within the main appendix as set out in the report “Transformation Update-July 2025”.

To consider the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services and the Cabinet Member for Compliance and Leisure outlining the future delivery model for Southampton Water Activity Centre and Woodmill Outdoor Activity Centre.

Decision made: (CAB 25/26 48532)

On consideration of the report of the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services and the Cabinet Member for Compliance and Leisure and having received representations from Mr Graham Linecar, Secretary of Southampton Commons and Parks Protection Society (SCAPPS) and Ms Sue Atkins, Southampton Trade Unions Council. Cabinet approved the following:

(i)  To approve the splitting of the Woodmill site and the freehold sale of the Stoneham side of the site to Southampton Scouts/ Southern Water.

(ii)  To approve the lease appointment of the Mill site at Woodmill to Above Board Limited.

(iii)  To delegate authority to the Executive Director – Resident Services following consultation with the Executive Director of Growth and Prosperity and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services to take the necessary actions to give effect to this decision.

(iv)  To delegate authority to the Executive Director of Growth and Prosperity following consultation with the Executive Director – Resident Services and the Cabinet Member for Finance and Corporate Services to take the necessary actions for the contracts and agreed terms on the property aspects.